Boris Becker reaches for a return. (AP photos) | ZOOM |

        MASON — The P.A. announcement began, “An old friend is about to begin play on the other court.” And suddenly, Patrick Rafter was playing before a deserted Stadium Court. That's because the crowd had Beckermania. Boris Becker's surprise return Tuesday — he was here to play doubles — spelledoverflow at the 5,000-seat Grandstand Court.

        “You noticed where the fans went today,” Pete Sampras said.

        Becker and Goran Ivanisevic faced the world's top-ranked team, Todd Woodbridge and Jonas Bjorkman. When they broke Woodbridge's serve in the first game, the crowd cheered excitedly.

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        It didn't last. Becker and Ivanisevic lost 6-3, 6-2.

        “It was a nice afternoon for me, to be back out on the court,” Becker said. “Unfortunately, they're the best team in the world, so there wasn't much we could do together. But overall, I was happy to be back here.”

        Becker was caught flat-footed several times early but adjusted and made a few nice plays later.

Becker tries to flip his racket with his foot. | ZOOM |

Becker and Ivanisevic congratulate Woodbridge and Bjorkman. | ZOOM |

        “The first couple games, it wasn't easy for me,” the three-time Wimbledon champ said. “It's a speed thing. But after about 20 minutes, I felt like I was in the match, and I was able to hit some good returns and some good serves.”

        Ivanisevic expressed disappointment: “It's once in your life that Boris comes back and you have a chance to play with him, and then I play bad like I did today.”

        Becker, 33, now turns his attention to playing singles on the Seniors tour.

        “We're still in our mid-30s; it's not too old to play tennis,” he said. “I hope I can convince guys like Stefan Edberg, Thomas Muster, to come back and be playing.”

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